An Irish Civil Engineering professional's perspective from Brazil

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Many of my readers have expressed an interest in this topic. So in this article I will give you an overview of what you must do.

Firstly if you wish to work in Brazil, you must of course have some form of a valid Work Visa.

Then you should look into the exact responsibilities you will have, (based on where you will work) such as;

Will you have to sign documentation, as a Professional or Chartered Engineer?

What language will you work in primarily? Portuguese or English?

If you are going to work in a company, where other Engineers already have a CREA number, then you should confirm whether or not you really need to become a registered Engineer in Brazil. Since in many cases there will be a system in place in such companies, whereby another Engineer will take the role of supervising, reviewing and signing any such documentation.

Also, if you are going to sign documentation, you will be required to understand such documentation in Portuguese. There are solutions to this, as many foreigners do already work here in Brazil, and the language is not difficult to learn, if you are motivated.

I advise that anyone planning to move to Brazil should be prepared to embrace the Portuguese language. It is important to be able to communicate openly and without any misunderstanding, if your colleague does not speak English. At the same time, many professionals in Brazil do speak very good English. Do not enter into this process, without properly researching and confirming your own details against the requirements beforehand, as it is a substantial undertaking.

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Some background information

If you wish to a work as a registered Engineer in the Federal Republic of Brazil, you apply for this through the regulatory authority called CREA. I will outline the steps required to apply for this.

My information and research is based on actual CREA Federal guidelines in Brazil. 1

CREA is an acronym for Conselho Regional de Engenharia, Arquitetura e Agronomia. Which means the Regional Council of Engineering, Architecture and Agronomy.

CONFEA is the national authority which oversees all of the regional CREA authorities.

CONFEA is an acronym for Conselho Federal de Engenharia, Arquitetura e Agronomia. Which translates to the Federal Council of Engineering, Architecture and Agronomy.

There is a CREA for each Federal State in Brazil. For example in São Paulo there is CREA-SP, and in Rio de Janeiro there is CREA-RJ. As there are 27 states in Brazil (26 Federal States and 1 Federal District) and since each of these has its own CREA, I will only concentrate on the details of Santa Catarina state as an example. A list of the various CREA authorities, throughout Brazil, can be found here. (via brasilengenharia.com.br)

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Detailed guidelines

1.01 – PROFESSIONAL RECORD

► DESCRIPTION ►

It’s the way professional graduates in the country or from abroad, working in the fields of Engineering, Architecture, Agronomy, Geology, Geography and Meteorology, request their registration in CREA-SC. This procedure is obligatory for the professional who wishes to pursue its activities in the state of Santa Catarina.

►LEGISLATION ►

Law No. 5.194/66 and Resolutions No. 1007/03, 494/06, 504/07 and 1016/06 of CONFEA.

► WHERE TO REGISTER ►

Care Units in CREA-SC or forwarding the documents through the postal service.

► DOCUMENTS REQUIRED ►

Click here to check the necessary documents, which are also available in the Service Units of CREA-SC.

In the case of an Engineer wishing to apply for a temporary CREA registration, the following will be needed.

The documentation must be completed correctly with no mistakes and presented in an original or certified copy to copy. The translation is required for foreign language documents, authenticated by the Brazilian consular authority, must be performed by a sworn translator. Except those issued by Portuguese-speaking countries.

1 –Application for Individual duly completed and signed, as MODEL . When the application is signed by an attorney if the attorney is particular must have notarized. If it is public (issued by Clerk) no need of notarization.

2 – Diploma or certificate.

3 – School records showing the hours, duly signed, verified that the student is formed. Logs sent via the Internet will only be accepted with the signature of the Institution of Education concerned.

4 – Syllabus of courses taken.

5 – A document indicating the duration of the course taught by the academic institution.

6 – Identification Card (when the applicant is Brazilian).
Can be replaced by another identity document regulated by federal law that has validity throughout the national territory, except for the professional portfolio of CREA. It is noteworthy that the number and issuing agency to be registered on the books of CREA this document will be submitted as an identity.

7 – Ballot identity when foreign visa holder permanent or temporary
The professional foreign visa holder permanent or temporary, must submit an identity card issued under the law, consisting number, issue date and issuing office.
The identity card of a foreigner, being processed, may be replaced by a copy of the authorized act of stay in the country, published in the Official Gazette, together with the Protocol Department of the Federal Police.

8 – Registration for Individuals in Brazil (CPF card), with name and number clearly legible.

9 – Voter Registration (when the applicant is Brazilian).
Can be replaced by the certificate of discharge issued by the electoral Regional Electoral Court (can be found at www.tse.gov.br ).

10 – Proof of discharge from Elections, (when the applicant is Brazilian).
Proof of reasons that the applicant could not participate in election voting, in which case present the certificate of discharge election, issued by the competent organ. The certificate of discharge may be withdrawn at the Electoral Court’s site www.tse.gov.br .

11 – Proof of Military Service discharge (when the applicant is Brazilian).
In accordance with Article 210 of RLSM (Regulation of the Law on Military Service), every citizen who has completed 46 (forty-six years) is under no obligation to submit proof of enlistment.

14 – Translation of the syllabus, except for documents from Portuguese-speaking countries.

15 – Translation of the document indicating the duration of the term, except for documents from Portuguese-speaking countries.

16 – A document showing the working relationship between the procuring entity and professional.
A. Employment contract with an entity of public or private;
B. Contract of service without employment, endorsed or registered with the competent body, or
C. Evidence of temporary bond with the Brazilian Government for the provision of service.

17 – Statement by the procuring entity, specifying the activities that will develop in the Brazil.

18 – Statement by the procuring entity, indicating a Brazilian assistant will be retained as an assistant to the foreign professional.

19 – Proof of relationship between the contractor and the Brazilian assistant.

20 – Order of the Ministry of Labor (Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego) authorizing work in Brazil.

21 – Two recent photos, front, 3x4cm in size, in colour and with a white background.

23 – Proof of residence, preferably on behalf of professional (can be acceptable proof of residence in the name of the Father or Mother). In the case of it being in the name of another person, then the declaration stating that the professional lives in owner’s property (this statement need not be submitted in a notarized form).

24 – Proof of fee duly paid (single copy).
To send the tab for the site, return to the home page, enter the CPF / CNPJ link “BILLET FEE / SERVICE” located on the right side of the page under “Online Services – Issuance of a bill,” and selecting the code rate 101 – 0 – “Registration of Professional Portfolio” and 109-1 “Expedition Professional License / Relisting.

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An Engineer applying for a permanent CREA registration will be required to furnish the following.

The documentation must be completed correctly with no mistakes and presented in an original or certified copy to copy.
The translation is required for foreign language documents, authenticated by the Brazilian consular authority, must be performed by a sworn translator. Except those issued by Portuguese-speaking countries.

1 –Application for Individual duly completed and signed, as MODEL .
When the application is signed by an attorney if the attorney is particular must have notarized. If it is public (issued by Clerk) no need of notarization.

2 – Diploma or certificate.

3 – School records showing the hours, duly signed, verified that the student is formed. Logs sent via the Internet will only be accepted with the signature of the Institution of Education concerned.

4 – Syllabus of courses taken.

5 – A document indicating the duration of the course taught by the academic institution.

6 – Identification Card (when the applicant is Brazilian).
Can be replaced by another identity document regulated by federal law that has validity throughout the national territory, except for the professional portfolio of CREA. It is noteworthy that the number and issuing agency to be registered on the books of CREA this document will be submitted as an identity.

7 – Ballot identity when foreign permanent visa holder.
The foreign professional permanent visa holder (for final registration), must submit an identity card issued under the law, consisting number, issue date and issuing office.
The identity card of a foreigner, being processed, may be replaced by a copy of the authorized act of stay in the country, published in the Official Gazette, together with the Protocol Department of the Federal Police.

8 – Registration for Individuals in Brazil (CPF card), with name and number clearly legible.9 – Voter Registration (when the applicant is Brazilian). Can be replaced by the certificate of discharge issued by the electoral Regional Electoral Court (can be found at www.tse.gov.br ).

10 – Proof of discharge from Elections, (when the applicant is Brazilian).
Proof of reasons that the applicant could not participate in election voting, in which case present the certificate of discharge election, issued by the competent organ. The certificate of discharge may be withdrawn at the Electoral Court’s site www.tse.gov.br .

11 – Proof of Military Service discharge (when the applicant is Brazilian).
In accordance with Article 210 of RLSM (Regulation of the Law on Military Service), every citizen who has completed 46 (forty-six years) is under no obligation to submit proof of enlistment.

14 – Translation of the syllabus, except for documents from Portuguese-speaking countries.

15 – Translation of the document indicating the duration of the term, except for documents from Portuguese-speaking countries.

16 – A document showing the working relationship between the procuring entity and professional.
A. Employment contract with an entity of public or private;
B. Contract of service without employment, endorsed or registered with the competent body, or
C. Evidence of temporary bond with the Brazilian Government for the provision of service.

17 – Statement by the procuring entity, specifying the activities that will develop in the Brazil.

18 – Statement by the procuring entity, indicating a Brazilian assistant will be retained as an assistant to the foreign professional.

19 – Proof of relationship between the contractor and the Brazilian assistant.

20 – Order of the Ministry of Labor (Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego) authorizing work in Brazil.

21 – Two recent photos, front, 3x4cm in size, in colour and with a white background.

23 – Proof of residence, preferably on behalf of professional (can be acceptable proof of residence in the name of the Father or Mother). In the case of it being in the name of another person, then the declaration stating that the professional lives in owner’s property (this statement need not be submitted in a notarized form).

24 – Proof of fee duly paid (single copy).
To send the tab for the site, return to the home page, enter the CPF / CNPJ link “BILLET FEE / SERVICE” located on the right side of the page under “Online Services – Issuance of a bill,” and selecting the code rate 101 – 0 – “Registration of Professional Portfolio” and 109-1 “Expedition Professional License / Relisting.

• To send the tab for the site, return to the home page, enter the CPF / CNPJ the link “BILLET FEE / SERVICE” located on the right side of the page under “Online Services – Issuance of a bill,” and selecting the code rate 101 – 0 – “Registration of Professional Portfolio” and 109-1 “Expedition Professional License / Relisting”.

► DEADLINE ►

• Professional Registration graduated in Brazil: on average 05 (five) working days for professionals trained in Santa Catarina, whose course has been duly approved by CREA-SC. On average 30 (thirty) days for professionals trained in other states or records formed in Santa Catarina whose courses are not approved.

Despite the 43 days of torrential rain that had hindered the planning of my trip to São Paulo, I got there without encountering a flood even once. It was quite an adaption to be in such an enormous metropolis. São Paulo (SP as it is known) has a population of 11.04 million people (and rising) and covers an area of 1,522,986 km²… therefore there is a population density of approximately 7,200 inhabitants/km². The city boasts an impressive and efficient Metro system, I was more than happy to use it whenever necessary. However, in my opinion it could be better if it served a larger amount of the city. As it is, the Metro only covers the needs of the central areas. This being said, there is of course an extensive Public Transport system in the form of Bus routes to any place you require. Adjacent to the Tietê River (in North Central SP) is the Tietê Bus Terminal… apparently the second biggest bus terminal in the world. There is no national rail network in Brazil at the moment, however I have been informed that there are plans to link Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo with a high-speed inter-city train in the future. So, that’s SP in a nutshell… I could continue describing the city at length, but I think I’ll leave that for another Post.

My main motivation in travelling to SP was to gain an insight into the atmosphere and opinions which exist there, as there are many large Engineering firms operating out of SP. Not to mention the numerous multi-nationals which have made the city their base for South America also.

While there, I held a meeting with Instituto de Engenharia do Brasil (Institute of Engineers of Brazil). I received a friendly & enthusiastic welcome from the Institution, and I am taking this opportunity to thank the Senior Management of Instituto de Engenharia for the commendable manner in which they hosted me. In my opinion this was a very productive meeting, as we found many areas of mutual interest. Notably the further development of communication and co-operation between Instituto de Engenharia and Engineers Ireland. I believe this is a beneficial relationship for both professional bodies… and thus to both organisations’ members as a whole.

We also discussed the process of registration for Engineers in Brazil. There is a Government Department called CREA, which is responsible for this function (as well the registration of non-Brazilian Engineers of course). The process can apparently take from 6 months to 1 year, before you are issued with a Licence to practise Engineering in Brazil. I will research this in more detail, and post updates accordingly in the future.

Parallel to this, I had discussions with various Engineering professionals,who informed me of their opinions on the industry in SP and their own views on the future for Brazilian Engineering in general. The foremost theme of these discussions was the development which would be generated by the World Cup (2014) and the Rio Olympics (2016). As well as the unique position Brazil now holds in terms of foreign investment opportunities, and the resulting effect this will have on the economy. The mood amongst those I talked to was primarily of optimism and innovation for the future in Brazil. I have to say, I have noticed on many occasions the ingenious way in which Brazilians can form solutions to whatever they encounter… so apply this rare trait to an opportuniy such as Brazil has, and the results could be spectacular.

Overall, I am very satisfied with my trip to São Paulo and I plan to return there soon to follow-up on my activity so far. As well as meeting individuals who have since expressed an interest in discussing the Brazilian Engineering industry with myself.

Please visit the websites of the various organisations to familiarise yourself more…